Monumental precipitation needed in Colorado

KUSA - The snow we're seeing in the high country and in the metro area Saturday is welcome news.

However, water experts are saying at this point, it's nearly impossible to come back from Colorado's drought situation this year.

"We will certainly take any water we can get. We don't turn it away. But our numbers are so much below average that it's going to take a monumental water year just to get us back to average," Brian Werner, spokesperson for Northern Water, said.

Werner says in terms of water reserves, Colorado has seen a change of almost 50 percent from where it was a year ago and that this could very well end up being the worst drought Colorado has ever seen.

"Our numbers are worse than they were in 2002. We are near 20 to 30 percent below normal in terms of both snow pack and reservoir storage right now. Coming out of 2012 we can't have another year like that on 2013 because there will be some severe impact," Werner said.

Werner says it's not time to panic because March and April are Colorado's biggest snow pack months and that the heavy, wet snows provide a lot of precipitation. He says they're always cautiously optimistic - and that this is just a time to be concerned.

"So cast that eye toward the sky. Do your snow and rain dances and let's hope it gets better from now on."